About the Network

The QNI Community Nursing Senior Leaders network is a digital network for nurses with executive responsibility for the delivery of community nursing services within provider organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A wet clinic model in Bristol

Compass Health provides confidential healthcare, advice and support for homeless people in Bristol.

Compass Health provides specialist advice, guidance and support to clients with long term and severe health problems.

Dr Clare Fleming and Dr Emma Mastrocola set up this Wet Clinic model in Bristol. Based at two homeless drop-in day centres, The Compass Centre and the Wild Goose Café, the clinic allows patients to drink alcohol in attempts to engage the most estranged members of society. The clinic is based around the idea that there must be a shift in attitudes before a change in behaviour. Therefore, providing a safe environment and allowing time for relationship building is key to engaging patients.

A flexible, sensitive and responsive service designed to deliver positive outcomes, Compass Health is run by professionals who understand the challenges homeless people face.

Taking into account complex needs – from substance dependency to depression – the team builds a client’s trust by allowing time to encourage engagement and the successful transfer to mainstream primary care services.